Written answers

Thursday, 1 February 2007

5:00 pm

Photo of Paul GogartyPaul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 19: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on whether the Naval Services are underresourced in view of the recent sinking of several fishing trawlers and the worsening of weather conditions off the Irish coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2930/07]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to begin by expressing my condolences and sincere sympathy to the families and friends of those who died as a result of the sinking of the Pere Charles and Honeydew II fishing vessels.

The Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of maritime Search and Rescue services within the Irish Search and Rescue Region. The role of the Defence Forces in Search & Rescue involves the provision of service to the civil authorities as and when required. Other organisations, including An Garda Síochána and the Commissioners of Irish Lights, are also involved in the provision of service to the Irish Coast Guard in relation to maritime Search and Rescue.

The Naval Service provided support to the Irish Coast Guard by way of ships and personnel in the recent Search and Rescue/Recovery operations off the Irish coast. Four of the eight Naval Service vessels were tasked with assisting in the search for the missing vessels over the course of the operations, and the Naval Service Diving Section participated in diving operations to locate the Pere Charles until the search operation was discontinued.

I am satisfied that the Naval Service is well equipped to provide assistance to the Coast Guard in search and rescue or recovery as required, and I commend the Naval Service for their unquestionable professionalism and dedication in such difficult situations.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Defence his contingency plans to expand the Naval Service in the event of Ireland's area of sea shelf responsibility being extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2769/07]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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In the White Paper on Defence in 2000, the Government decided that the Naval Service would be developed around the provision of an eight-ship flotilla. The Naval Service operates a fleet of eight ships categorised as follows:

1 × Helicopter Patrol Vessel (HPV)

2 × Large Patrol Vessels (LPV)

3 × Offshore Patrol Vessels(OPV)

2 × Coastal Patrol Vessels (CPV)

The strength of the Naval Service on 31st December 2006, the latest date for which detailed figures are available, as advised by the military authorities was 1,082.

The Government is committed to continuous investment in the equipment needs of the Naval Service to enable it to carry out the roles assigned to it. A vessel replacement strategy for the Naval Service is currently under examination in my Department and I expect proposals will be submitted to me for decision in the coming weeks. Subject to my consideration of the proposals, the programme will begin with the tender process in the first half of this year with the expectation of placing a contract for the first ship in early 2008. I expect two of the ships will be similar to the Roisin class with one larger vessel capable of an extended patrol range.

A continuous process of refurbishment combined with a vessel replacement strategy ensures that the operational capability of the Naval Service is maintained at a very high level.

The current Exclusive Fishery Limits extend to 200 miles offshore and cover an area of 132,000 square miles. The Naval Service currently patrols the entire 200-mile limit and periodically patrols beyond these limits to protect specific fisheries. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish waters as necessary. The number of Patrol Vessels on patrol in Irish waters at any one time varies between three and seven. The Naval Service is committed to having at least three vessels on patrol within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone at any one time.

The fleet completes around 1,680 patrol days per annum and, on a daily basis, an average of over four Naval Service vessels are deployed on patrol throughout the year. The Naval Service has met the requirements of its operational tasking to date.

The question of an extension of the area of sea shelf responsibility from its current limits, including the timing of any such change, is primarily a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs. If this process is successful and Ireland's claim is accepted, it may give rise to some new duties for the Naval Service. This issue will be kept under review with the relevant Departments; namely the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, so as to ensure that the requirements for any additional Naval Service inputs will be factored into the overall planning process in each Department.

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